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After spending three days on the witness stand, spilling an astonishing amount of detail about the violent Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods street gang, Tekashi 6ix9ine faces an uncertain future.
For being a “snitch” against his alleged fellow gang members, the controversial 23-year-old rapper could be released from federal custody as early as January.
But Tekashi has destroyed his credibility in the hip-hop community, the New York Times and other outlets have reported. There also are mixed views on whether record labels would want to work with him, and, probably most pressing, he could be the target of Nine Trey retaliation. Members of the group were caught on wiretap before his arrest last year threatening to kill him.
One option would be for the rapper, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, to disappear into the U.S. Marshals Service Witness Protection Program, the New York Times reported.
Federal prosecutors have said this is a possibility for the Brooklyn native, who became known as the “troll prince of hip-hop” for his rainbow-colored hair, his “69” face tattoos, his angry, outlandish social media posts and his music, which was filled with references to gangs, drugs, guns and sex.
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The program is for government witnesses and their family members who are in danger as a result of the witnesses’ testimony against drug traffickers, organized crime members and other major criminals, according to the Marshals Service website.
The witnesses and their family members are given new identities with authentic documentation. They also receive housing, subsistence for basic living expenses and medical care. They also may receive job training and employment assistance.
“Despite how connected we are, and the appetite for social media content in this country, there are places where, if this kid gets a haircut and wears normal clothes, no one would know or care who he is,” Jay Kramer, a former F.B.I. official who worked on organized crime cases, told the New York Times.
Tekashi’s signature rainbow-dyed hair actually has mostly grown out. But, of course, that’s only part of the challenge of getting him to look “normal” again.
The “Gummo” rapper also sports some pretty well-known face tattoos, including the “69” and “6ix9ine” tattoos on his forehead and the spider web designs spreading up his neck.
The New York Times said it’s not likely the Marshals Service would pay to remove the tattoos, so Tekashi might have to take care of that himself.
A January 2019 report by Glamour magazine said removing tattoos with a heat laser is a painful, lengthy and costly process.
Removing each tattoo takes multiple sessions, which can cost an average of $463 per session, Glamour said, citing estimates from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Pain and discomfort can last a week after each session, and the process can leave scars or white patches on the skin, even when performed by a skilled medical professional.
While Tekashi has never been known for “a capacity for discretion,” as the New York Times said, he might have no choice but to pay up and endure the pain of laser tattoo removal in order to secure some level of anonymity and safety.
Anonymity and safety certainly are possible in the witness program. The U.S. Marshals Service boasts a strong record of protecting witnesses. “No Witness Security Program participant, following program guidelines, has been harmed or killed while under the active protection of the U.S. Marshals Service,” the Service said on its website.
Law enforcement officials told the Times that the Marshals Service has successfully relocated and protected other high-profile witnesses: helping mobsters start over as bakery owners and reformed assassins find “new careers as doll salesmen.” Maybe Tekashi could go back to the job he had before he became famous: deli clerk.
Tekashi’s uncertain future comes a year after he was riding high as a music and cultural phenomenon with his breakout hit, the multiplatinum single “GUMMO.” He also had completed collaborations with Nicki Minaj and Kanye West, and his debut album, “Dummy Boy” was about to be released.
But as Tekashi testified, he also had become a member of the Nine Trey gang in order to give his music street credibility. He and 11 other Nine Trey members were arrested last November in the sweeping racketeering and firearms case.Tekashi testified last week that he immediately agreed to cooperate with authorities.
During his three days on the stand last week, Tekashi was testifying against the two alleged Nine Trey members who did not take plea deals. But Tekashi also dished about theinner workings of the Nine Trey crew while discussing the gang affiliations of other rappers, including Trippie Redd, Chief Keef and Casanova.
Tekashi also talked about Cardi B. and Jim Jones being in the Bloods or even of being members of Nine Trey specifically. Representatives for Cardi B denied Tekashi’s claims.
